Fire extinguisher liquid pickup apparatus



PD 29 ml H. ENSMINGER FIRE EXTINGUISHER LIQUID PICKUP APPARATUS FilednDec. 22, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l H. ENSMINGER 22396 FIRE EXTI-GUISHERLQUID PICKUP APPARATUS I Filed Dec. 22, 195s 2 snee-nS-sneet 2 3 Wenko/aanyhfmfa' Patented Apr. 29, 1941 FIRE EXTl-NGUISHER LIQUID PICKUPAPPARATUS Harry Ensminger, Chicago, Ill.,

assignor to Cardox Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication December 22, 1938, Serial No. 247,269

15 Claims.4 (Cl. 169-31) 'I'his invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in mechanism adapted to be used with portable, or handoperated, re extinguishers for the purpose of assuring delivery ofliquid to the discharge nozzles of the same.

In using a re extinguisher, especially of the portable or hand operatedtype, it frequently is desirable to move the extinguisher from oneposition to another to apply the fire extinguishing medium moreeffectively as the flame travels and it is necessary to discharge ontothe ilre the most dense type of stream obtainable.

A primary object of this invention is to provide pickup mechanism whichis positioned within a portable, or hand operated re extinguishercylinder or drum and functions to deliver liquid carbon dioxide, or thelike, as distinguished from vapor or gas, to the immovably attacheddischarge nozzle of the extinguisher regardless of the position or anglein which the cylinder or drum is held in playing the medium upon'theflre.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout thesame,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a portable cylinder or drumadapted to confine a lire extinguishing liquid under high pressure andillustrating the pickup mechanism embodying this invention,

Figure` 2 is` a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the liquidpickup mechanism of this invention, and

Figures 3 to 5, inclusive, are detail perspective views of certainstructural elements which are employed as apart of the pickup mechanismdisclosed in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown thepreferred embodiment of this invention, and particularly referring toFig. 1, the reference character 6 designates a cylinder or drum ofsuitable strength to confine a liquid under high pressure, such ascarbon dioxide subject to temperature variations of the surroundingatmosphere; This cylinder or drum 6 is formed with an open throat ormouth 'I at one end. 'I'he remaining end of the cylinder or drum,preferably, is closed by an integral end.

Figs. 1 and 2 clearly disclose the throat or mouth 1 as'having threadedtherein a spud 8 which usually forms a part of or is associated with thedischarge nozzle or mechanism of the cylinder or drum. This spud 8 isprovided with a bore which includes the smooth surfaced portion 9, theenlarged smooth surfaced portion I 0, the threaded portion I I and theunthreaded extension I2 of the portion I I.

A tubular coupling I3 is intended to be freely rotatably mounted in thebored portion of the spud 8. This coupling I3 includes the bore I4, thesmooth surfaced cylindrical portions I5 and I6, and the enlargedperipheral flange Il. Fig, 2 clearly illustrates the outer portion ofthe cylindrical part I5 as extending into the smooth surfaced portion 9of the spud bore. The enlarged peripheral flange I l is illustrated asbeing at least partially received within the smooth surfaced boreportion III. A metallic ring I8 is positioned within the smooth boreportion I0 and bears against one face of the coupling flange I1. Acompressible packing material I9 is positioned inwardly of the ring I3within the smooth surfaced bore portion I0.

It will be appreciated that the compressible packing I9 will function asa seal between the spud 8 and the coupling I3 and will also function asa somewhat yieldable backing vfor the metallic ring I8 and the flange Ilon the coupling. In other Words, movement of the coupling I3 to the leftof Fig. 2 in the bore of the spud will be resisted by the compressiblepacking I9 and such movement will function to compress the packing forincreasing its sealing action. For the purpose of retaining the couplingwithin the bored portion of the spud 8 against outward movement into theinterior of the cylinder or drum 6 and for determining the extent ofmovement of the coupling into the bore of the spud. a clamping nut 20 isadjusted into the threaded portion II y of the spud bore. It will beappreciated that the clamping nut 20 should be adjusted to determine theextent of' freedom of'angular movement or swiveling motion of thecoupling with respect to the spud.

'I'he rotatably mounted coupling III is employed as a swivelingconnection between the spud 8 and the pickup mechanism for the liquidcarbon dioxide coniinedwithin the cylinder or drum 6. This pickupmechanism will be described as follows:

Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, disclose a connector block 21 which is suitablycored to form a system of ducts 22, 23 and 24. The ducts 22 and 24extend longitudinally of the block while the duct 23 acts as acommunicating branch between the two longitudinal ducts. The oppositeend portions 0I of the duct 24 is enlarged, as at 21.

The outer end i6 of the coupling I3 is intended to be received in theenlarged portion 25 of the duct 22 and is retained therein by a setscrew 28 which enters an annular groove 29 formed in the periphery ofthe coupling. This set screw is intended to hold the block 2l against/movement relative to the coupling I3. 'I'he enlarged portion 26 of theduct 22 has fpositioned therein a guard ring 30 which is formed with theaxially extending teeth or raised portions 3|. f

Inserted partly within the remainder of the enlarged portion 26 of theduct 22 is the end of a rigid metal tube 32. The extremity of this tubeis beveled at 33 to act as a seat for the loose, bronze `ball valve 34which is positioned between the guard ring 30 and the valve seatextremity 33 of the tube 32. A set screw 35 is employed for holding theend of the tube 32 `withln the duct portion 26.

A second connecting block 36 is provided and is suitably cored to formthe duct portions, or system of ducts 31, 38 and 39. The duct 31 isenlarged at 40 for receiving the free end of the metallic tube 32. Itwill be appreciated that the bore of this tube 32 functions to establishcornmunication between the two systems of ducts formed in the blocks 2Iand 36. A set screw 4I is employed for securing the end of the tube 32within the duct enlargement 40.

The duct 39 of the block 36 is enlarged at 42 for receiving an end of aflexible pickup or dip tube 43. This end of the tube is held in place bythe set screw 44. The flexible dip tube 43 may be constructed in anydesired manner from metallic or non-metallic material. It extends fromthe block 36 into the end portion of the cylinder or drum 6 which isprovided with the discharge throat or mouth 1. A weighted ring 45 ismounted on the extremity of the exible tube 43 for retaining thereceiving or inlet end of the tube 43 at .the lower side of the cylinderor drum 6, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 discloses a tube 46 extending into the eniarged duct portion 21and being held therein by the set screw 41. Fig. 1 discloses this tube46 as bent around the connecting block 36. Preferably,

this tube 46 is of rigid construction. Connected` to the outer end ofthe tube 46, as by means of a suitable coupling 48, is a section ofexible tubing i3 which extends into the closed end of the cylinder ordrum 6. A weighted ring 50 is suitably mounted on the extremity of theexible tube 49. rKluis tube, also, may be made of any suitable metallicor non-metallic material. The Weighted ring 50 will function to maintainthe inlet end of the dip tube 49 in the lower portion of the cylinder ordrum.

As has been stated heretofore, it may be necessary to hold a portable, rhand operated, fire extinguisher in many diierent positions to properlydischarge the extinguishing medium on different res and differentportions of hres located at different places and different elevationswith respect to' .the person manipulating the extinguisher. As it ishighly desirable to deliver liquid carbon dioxide to the dischargenozzle or mechanism of this type of extinguisher, it is nec- Y A Afollows:

the duct 22 are enlarged at 25 and 26. One endv When the cylinder ordrum 6 is supported with its discharge end above the horizontal, liquidmust be delivered to the discharge nozzle of the extinguisher from theclosed end portion of the cylinder 6. The small valve 34, with thecylinder in the position just mentioned, falls by gravity against thevalve seat 33 and prevents flow of gas through the dip tube 43, theseries of ducts 31 to 39, inclusive, and the tube 32 into the bore ofthe coupling I3. However, liquid carbon dioxideis permitted to owthrough the flexible pickup or dip tube 49, the tube 46 and the systemor series of ducts 22 to 24, inclusive, into the bore of the coupling.

When the cylinder or drum 6 is held with its axis extending trulyhorizontally, or substantially truly horizontally, liquid carbon dioxidewill be fed through both of the dip tubes 43 and 49 to the coupling I6by way of the ducts formed in the two blocks 2I and 36. When the closedend of the cylinder or drum 6 is held at a higher elevation or planethan the discharge end of the cylinder or drum, the ball valve 34 willbe moved by gravity against the projections or teeth 3| of the guardring 30. Liquid carbon dioxide, therefore, may pass around the valve 34.The supply of liquid carbon dioxide `then is picked up from the end ofthe cylinder or drum having the discharge throat or mouth 1 through theexible dip .tube 43 and is fed to the coupling I3 through the series ofducts 31 to 39, inclusive, formed in the block 36, and through the tube32 into the duct 22 of the block 2|.

It will be appreciated that by swiveling the coupling I6 within the boreof the Spud 8, the coupling will permit the pickup mechanism to drawliquid from the lowest portion of the cylinder or drum regardless of howor to what extent the cylinder or drum 6'may be rotated about itslongitudinal axis.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewithshown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims. i

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. The combination with a fire extinguisher cylinder, of a bored spudmounted in the discharge mouth of the cylinder, a tubular coupling,means for mounting the coupling in the bore oi the spud for free angularmovement relative thereto, and a dip tube extending into each end of thecylinder and connected to the coupling.

2. The combination with a fire extinguisher cylinder, of a bored spudmounted in the discharge mouth of the cylinder, a tubular coupling,means for mounting the coupling in the bore oi' the spud for freeangular movement relative thereto, a dip tube extending into each end 0fthe cylinder, and means for connecting said tubes to the tubularcoupling, said last mentioned r means including a gravity actuated valvefor controlling ow of uid through one of said tubes.

3. The combination with a re extinguisherv cylinder, of a bored spudmounted in the discharge mouth of the cylinder, a tubular coupling,

means for rotatably mounting the coupling in` cylinder, of a bored spudmounted in the discharge mouth of the cylinder, a tubular coupling,means for mounting the coupling in the bore of y the spud for freeangular movement relative thereto, a cored block mounted on the coupling5 to move therewith, and a pair of dip tubes connected to said block andextending into both ends o'f the cylinder.

5. The combination with a fire extinguisher cylinder, of a bored spudmounted in the 'dis- 10 charge mouth of the cylinder, a tubularcoupling, means for rotatably mounting the couplingVVV in said spudb'ore, means for packing between the coupling and the spud, a coredblock mounted on the coupling to move therewith, and a pair of l5 diptubes connected to said block and extending into both ends of thecylinder.

`6. 'I'he combination with a nre extinguisher cylinder, of a bored spudmounted. in the discharge mouth of the cylinder, a tubular coupling,

means for mounting the coupling in the bore of the spud for free angularmovement relative thereto, a cored block mounted on the coupling to movetherewith, a pair of dip tubes connectedv to said block and extendinginto both ends of the v cylinder, and valve means in said block forcontrolling ow of'iluid through one of said tubes.

7. The combination with a iire extinguisher cylinder, of a bored spuddetachably mounted in one end of the cylinder, a pair of flexible tubesarranged in the cylinder with one end of each of the tubes terminatingin theopposite ends of the cylinder, weight means carried by said endsof the tube, and means for interconnecting the remaining ends of thetubes and for mounting said remaining ends with respect t0said"spud forswiveling movement about an axis extending longitudinally of thecylinder. 8. The combination `with a re extinguisher cylinder, of abored spud detachably mounted in one end of the cylinder, a pairofilexible tubes arranged in the cylinder with one end of each of thetubes terminating in the opposite ends of f the cylinder, weight meanscarried -by saidY ends of the tubes, a tubular coupling looselyextending into the bore of said spud, means for adjustably supportingsaid coupling in said bore for free angular movement, and means forinterconnecting the remaining ends of the tubes and for attaching themto said coupling. Y

9. 'Ihe combinationv with a fire extinguisher cylinder, of a bored spuddetachably mounted in one end of the cylinder, a pair of exible tubesarranged in the cylinder with one end of each f of the tubes terminatingin the opposite endsv of the cylinder, weight means carried by said endsofthe tubes, a tubular coupling loosely extend-A ing into the bore ofsaid spud, means for adjustably supporting said coupling in said borefor free angular movement, said last mentioned 60 means comprising aperipheral iiange on the cou- ,Y

pling, a ring insaid bore and bearing against,

one face of said flange, compressible packing Y means in said boresurrounding said coupling and bearing against said ring, and anadjustable'cs clamp 'nut mounted in the spud bore and bearing against`the remaining face of said ange; and means for interconnecting theremaining ends of the tubes and forattaching them to said coupling.

10. The combination with a re extinguishery cylinder, of a bored spuddetachably mounted in one end of the cylinder, a pair of exible tubesarranged in the cylinder with one end of each of the tubes terminatingin the opposite endsof-the prising a peripheral flange on the coupling,a ring cylinder, weight means carried by said endsv of the tubes, a pairof blocks each of which is cored to provide a system ofintercommunicating ducts,

tubular ,means for connecting said blocks and,A

placing the two systems of ducts in communication with each other, meansfor connecting the 'remaining ends ,of said flexible tubes one to eachof said systems of ducts, and tubular coupling means mounted for angularmovement in the spud bore and connected to one of said blocks with itsbore in communication with the system oi' ducts formed in said block.

11. The combination-with a fire extinguisher' cylinder, of a bored spuddetachably mounted in one end of the cylinder, a pair of iiexible tubesarranged in the`c'ylinder with one end of each of the tubes terminatingin the opposite ends of the cylinder, weight means carried by saidendsof the tubes, a pair of blocks each of which is cored to provide asystem of intercommunicating ducts, tubular means for connecting saidblocks and placing the two systems of ducts in communication with eachother, gravity actuated valve Yarrangedin the cylinder with one end ofeach of the tubes terminating at the opposite ends of the cylinder,weight means carried by said ends of the tubes, a pair of blocks each ofwhich is cored to provide a system of/fi'ntercommunicating ducts,tubular means for connecting said blocks and placing the twg/systems ofducts in l,communication ndthfeach other, means for connecting theremaining ends of said exible tubes one to each fof said systems ofducts, a tubular coupling |loosely extending into the bore of said spudand connected to one of said blocks with its bore in communication withthe system of ducts formed in said block, and means for adjustablysupporting said coupling inthe spud bore for free angular movement, saidlast mentioned means comin said Yborefbearing/ against `one face0f saidflange, compressible packing means in said bore surrounding saidcoupling and bearing against:V

said ring, and an adjustable clamp nut mounted in the spud-bore andbearingagainst the remain;V

ing face of said flange.`

13, The combination with/adire extinguisher cylinder, of a bored spuddetchably mounted in one end of the cylinder, a/pagrofrrfleidble tubesarrangedin the cylinder'witli/one end of each of the tubes terminatingin the opposite ends of the cylinder, weight means carried by said ends'nof the tubes, av pair of vblocks each of which is cored to provide asystem of interoommunlcating ducts, tubular means for connecting-saidblocks and placingthe two systems of ducts in communication with eachother, gravity actuated valve means for controlling communicationbetween the two systems through said tubular means,

means for connecting the remaining ends of said .flexible tubes one toeach oi? said systems of ducts,

a. tubular coupling loosely extending into the bore of said spudandconnectedto one of said blocks with its bore in communication Vwith thesystem of ducts formed in said block, 'and means for adjustablysupporting said coupling in the spud bore for free angular movement.

14. In a portable re extinguisher, a cylinder capable of being supportedwith either of its ends above the horizontal and having a dischargepassage at one of its ends, a. system of ducts connected to dischargethrough said discharge passage, a exible tube having one end extendinginto an end of the cylinder and its other end connected to said systemof ducts, a gravity actuated check valve operating in said system ofducts and closing said system when the end of the cylinder whichreceives the end of the flexible tube is raised above the horiontal, as'econd system of ducts connected with the discharge'passage at a podntdownstream of the connection with the first mentioned system of ducts,and a second flexible tube having one end extending into the remainingend of the cylinder and its other end connected to the second system ofducts, said second flexible tubeand its system o! ducts being soconstructed as to always provide open communication between thedischarge passage and 15. In a portable nre extinguisher, a cylindercapable of being supported with either of its ends above the horizontaland having a discharge passage at one of its ends, a system of ductshaving one of its ends coaxially connected to the discharge passage, aflexible tube having one end extending into the end of the cylinderhaving said discharge passage and its other end connected to said systemoi ducts, a gravity actuated check valve operating in said system ofducts and closing said system when the end of the cylinder having saiddischarge passage is raised above the horizontal, a second system ofducts angularly connected wi-th the discharge passage at a pointdown-stream of the connectionv with the iirst mentioned system of ducts,and a second flexible tube having one end extending into the remainingend oi the cylinder and its other end connected to the second system ofducts, said second flexible tube and its system of ducts being soconstructed as to always provide open communication between thedischarge passage and the end of the cylinder into which said secondtube extends.

the end of the cylinder into which said second 25 tube extends.

HARRY ENSMINGER.

